Letter to the Editor: Maire PTO Supports Grosse Pointe Technology Bond

The following letter was submitted to Patch:

Maire PTO Letter to the Editor:

What does the Tech Bond mean to Maire? It means a lot. It means so much more to us than just a “device for every kid”.  The Tech Bond means a safe, secure learning environment. It means providing an enhanced learning environment that is free from twenty minute waits for programs to boot up. It means having our teachers and students access the 21st century learning tools that are available, and utilized in many other school districts in our area, but that our infrastructure does not allow us to utilize.  

In recent years the Maire PTO has attempted to bridge the technology gap. The PTO has provided smart boards, iPads, netbooks, and funding for technology maintenance. Unfortunately, these measures have not been enough. Our system cannot service the technology that is in place, the new devices cannot access the system. Talk to just about any student, teacher, volunteer, or staff member at the school, and you will hear stories of not being able to log in, or when they do get on the system, it crashes. There is so much time wasted time, it is simply unacceptable.

The Tech Bond will do away with the patchwork of quick fixes that have been done in the past, which has led us to this unsustainable situation. It is imperative that Maire receives the infrastructure overhaul needed to be able to support technology that will improve our security systems, improve the functioning of existing technology, and provide us access to future technology.

The Maire PTO is supporting the Tech Bond, so that we can continue our history of providing an excellent educational experience for all of our students.